MCKERN
FOUNDATION
The McKern Foundation – a registered charity with DGR status – was founded in 2015 and has been contributing to programs that support the health and wellbeing of children and their families ever since.
The McKern family values of “looking after, rewarding and encouraging good people” are at the heart of the foundation’s mission, which also reflects Michael McKern’s belief that investing in today’s youth will help shape a positive future.
Our why
Michael believes that successful businesses are not only measured by profitability, but by what they contribute to the wider community. The foundation currently invests over $200,000 each year into initiatives that bring joy, health, and hope to young ones facing challenging circumstances.
The projects we support create safe and inclusive spaces, promote healthy habits, and support recreational activities for children, providing them with the necessary tools and opportunities for growth. We consider it a privilege to contribute to their wellbeing and participate in their journey toward a brighter future.
We can do more together!
We are grateful to have BlueScope Steel, JL King & Co, Instant Steel Solutions, Furphy Galvanizing, IMPACT-A Fasteners and Construction Supplies Bendigo, Adroit Insurance & Risk, Dobeli Electrical, Till Automotive Group and Bendigo Community Health Services as partners in our endeavours, as they share our vision and dedication to empowering youth. However, we would love to have more businesses join us so that we can have an even greater impact!
The projects we support
Fresh Fruit Friday Program
The program, now in its 10th year, delivers a weekly supply of fresh fruit to 35 kindergartens, primary and secondary schools in and around the Bendigo. With over 930kg of fruit delivered weekly to 11,000 students, it is the region’s largest program of its kind.
The program is also supported by our Ambassador, Cassidy McLean from Bendigo Braves, and athletes from Bendigo Strikers Netball Club who visit the schools and educate students on healthy living.
If your business would like to help us to expand this program to even more schools, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch here.
Thanks to our current Fresh Fruit Friday project partners:
The McKern Foundation takes immense pride in being the inaugural sponsor of the kids ward at the Bendigo Hospital. Named the McKern Steel Children’s Ward, our annual sponsorship is a testament to our ongoing dedication to the hospital.
For over 30 years, we have been proud suppliers of the structural steel required to build the Royal Children’s Hospital Charity House. This program aims to raise funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital, ensuring that children in need receive exceptional care and support.
We are honoured to sponsor Lifely, a disability service provider for people with a disability and their families. The McKern Foundation supports their ‘Netball For All’ team on the court and during half time fruit break. Our sponsorship funding also helps the team with staffing and transport.
We support the future of golf by sponsoring our junior golf club. Our contribution helps cover expenses, providing equipment and opportunities for young golfers to discover and pursue their passion for the game. We thoroughly enjoy nurturing the next generation of golf stars and fostering a lifelong love for this incredible sport.
“At St Liborius Primary, we are extremely grateful to the McKern Foundation for their Fresh Fruit Friday program. Every week we look forward to fruit on a Friday as we know how much the students love it and also how we, the adults, know how beneficial it is for our young people to be creating good habits around healthy eating.
We are also grateful to the Foundation’s partners who support this great initiative and we are hopeful they can appreciate the positive impact the program is having across our schools.”
Ben Fitzpatrick, Deputy Principal
St Liborius Catholic Primary School
“Our children look forward to our fresh fruit at school each week. We have some wonderful volunteers who cut the fruit up to be distributed to the classrooms for our students to enjoy.
We have had parents tell us that their children now eat fruit that they wouldn’t have tried at home, simply because their friends are eating it and they have been able to try it at school. It is a wonderful way to encourage our children to try, and enjoy healthy food.”
Maree O’Connor, Wellbeing Officer
St Francis of the Fields Primary School
“Strathfieldsaye PS has received boxes of donated fruit through the generosity of the McKern Steel Foundation the past 5 years that I have been a Chaplain at this school and possibly more!
The fruit is gratefully welcomed every week and is a brilliant source of nutrition for so many students. The fruit is available for all students to access every day, particularly so for those that don’t come to school with any and do not have fresh fruit available to them.
The fruit is a way to connect with students and gives them a boost when they are feeling low physically, mentally and emotionally. Fruit is brilliant for student’s mental health and wellbeing as well as physically. So many benefits and so valuable.
Strathfieldsaye PS is really appreciative and wouldn’t be without the weekly fresh fruit donations. Thank you so much!”
Lynley Jordan, Chaplain & Wellbeing Support
Strathfieldsaye Primary School
“The BSE community looks forward to our weekly delivery of fresh fruit, with our student leaders meeting in the Community Hub every Monday afternoon to divide the fruit up and deliver it to each year level.
Our staff love the conversations that follow when students come in to get a piece of fruit during lunch time and are very grateful that all students have this opportunity available to them”
Angela Tremain, Assistant Principal-Wellbeing
Bendigo South East College
We are not currently taking on any new projects for the Foundation. However, if you have a project that you think aligns with the McKern Foundation goals and would like to tell us about it, please provide the details below and we will keep it in mind for the future.
Latest McKern Foundation News
Orrcon Steel Distribution: The partnership strengthens and continues
Fortem Group: Supporting growth in business and community
